April 9 – Today In History

1865 - General Robert E. Lee surrendered the Confederate forces to Ulysses S. Grant in Appomattox, Virginia bringing an end to the Civil War.

1881 - Billy the Kid was found guilty of murdering Sheriff Brady.

1959 - The first U.S. astronauts a.k.a. The Mercury Seven were introduced.

1960 - The FDA approved the use of the birth control pill.

Sharing A Birthday Today…

Cheeta the chimpanzee and sidekick of Tarzan in the 1930s movies was born in 1932. He holds the world’s record for being the oldest chimpanzee.

Brad Dexter who starred in “The Magnificent Seven” was born in 1917.

Jim Fowler zoologist and TV host of “Wild Kingdom” was born in 1932.

Albert Hammond Jr. guitarist for the band The Strokes was born in 1979.

Hugh Hefner the renowned figured behind the infamous magazine “Playboy” was born in 1926.

Jenna Jameson the actress/author was born in 1974.

Hal Ketchum the singer behind the hit songs “Small Town Saturday Night” and “Past the Point of Rescue” was born in 1953.

Marty Krofft with brother Sid, produced a number of childhood favorites including “The Bugaloos”, “Land of the Lost”, “Pufnstuf” and “Sigmund and the Sea Monsters”. Krofft was born in 1937.

Earl L. “Curly” Lambeau famed football coach of the Green Bay Packers was born in 1898.

Michael Learned who starred on TV’s “The Waltons” was born in 1939.

Jesse McCartney actor and singer of the song “Get Your Sun Shine On” was born in 1987.

Cynthia Nixon who starred on TV’s “Sex and the City” was born in 1966.

Carl Perkins the legendary singer/songwriter of the hit “Blue Suede Shoes” was born in 1932.

Keshia Knight Pulliam who starred on TV’s “The Cosby Show” was born in 1979.

Dennis Quaid star of “Frequency”, “Far From Heaven” and “Wyatt Earp” was born in 1954.

Paul Robeson actor/athlete/singer and reformer best known for the tune “Ol’ Man River” was born in 1898.

Avery Schreiber who appeared in “Airport ‘79” was born in 1935.

Kristen Stewart the actress who has appeared in the films “Panic Room” and “Zathura” was born in 1990.

Frankie Thomas star of TV’s “Tom Corbett, Space Cadet” was born in 1921.

Jorn Utzon architect of Sydney Australia’s famed Opera House was born in 1918.

Efrem Zimbalist famed Russian violinist and father of actor Efrem Zimbalist Jr. was born in 1889.

We Said Goodbye To…

Mae Brown Axton the songwriter of “Heartbreak Hotel” and mother of singer/actor Hoyt Axton passed away in 1997 at the age of 82.

Sir Francis Bacon the philosopher and essayist passed away in 1626 at the age of 65.

Richard Condon author of such works as “The Manchurian Candidate” passed away in 1996 at the age of 80.

David Prater one half of R&Bs Sam & Dave passed away in 1988 at the age of 50.

Anthony Pratt who invented the game “Clue” passed away in 1994 at the age of 90.

Frank Lloyd Wright architect of the Guggenheim Museum in New York passed away in 1959 at the age of 89.

Top Of The Charts On This Day In…

1966 - “(You’re My) Soul & Inspiration” by the Righteous Brothers1983 - On The Country Charts – “We’ve Got Tonight” by Kenny Rogers and Sheena Easton1988 - On The Country Charts – “Famous Last Words of a Fool” by George Strait

Movie Moments In...

1953 - The first 3D movie premiered when “The House of Wax”, starring Vincent Price and Charles Bronson opened.

Memorable Sports Moments In…

1962 - President John F. Kennedy through out the first pitch of the new baseball season at the new D.C. Stadium.